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The Powder Magazine
FORT FISHER STATE
HISTORIC SITE
JULY 2013
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST Remembering Jack Travis (page 2) Garden Goodies (page 3) Meet Anthony Hatfield (page 6)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
From the Site Manager’s Desk
2
Civil War Medicine
The Pox
4
New Friends of Fort Fisher
8
Join the Friends of Fort Fisher
9
Upcoming Events at Fort Fisher
10
Beautiful weather, a friendly crowd of 120 invited Friends members and guests welcomed featured speaker author Rod Gragg and the unveiling of Fort Fisher’s newest outside exhibit – a full-scale replica of the icon-ic Armstrong Rifled Cannon on June 1st.
The Armstrong represents a milestone in the Friends quiet cam-paign to fund several important capital pro-jects at the site in prepa-ration for the 150th anni-versary of the Battle of Fort Fisher in January 2015.
In addition to the Arm-strong other projects needing public support include extensive
upgrades to the interpretive trail with new historical signage, honor/memorial benches, electric touring cart for those with physical limita-tions, the landscaped Walk of Honor area with engraved pavers and total replacement of 1,000
Friends of Fort Fisher campaign announces milestone and seeks public support...by Paul Laird
feet of the historically important defensive palisade fence. This first phase of the “Telling Their Story” Campaign seeks to raise $250,000. To date, $60,000 has been raised and pledged and the Friends are ex-citedly looking to the fall to an-nounce new pledges and oppor-tunities for the public to become involved in meeting the campaign goals and the long-term objec-tives of Fort Fisher becoming the most dynamic, interesting, and educational Civil War me-morial battlefield and historic site in the southeastern United States. Please contact Friends executive director Paul Laird by phone at 910-612-7067 or plaird@friendsoffortfisher.com to learn how you can become involved in the Friends of Fort Fisher and the “Telling Their Story” Campaign.
At the outbreak of the Civil War in April of 1861, Wilming-ton was North Carolina’s larg-est city; by the middle of 1863, it was rapidly becoming the sec-ond most important city in the South. For the next year and a half, Wilmington would be the Confederacy’s primary port-of-call as the overwhelming majori-ty of the foreign commerce that fed and fueled the Rebel war machine was funneled into the Cape Fear River. Conducted by
blockade-runners, this smuggling operation soon became the main artery in the “Lifeline of the Con-federacy” and for the remainder of the war, the fortunes of the Confederate States of America would be moored to the docks of Wilmington harbor. To defend the port, a chain of fortifications and batteries purled down both sides of the river from the port city above to the inlets below, making it the second most fortified harbor in the South.
‘Above the Scenes’ tour offered at Ft. Fisher
Continued on page 7 PAGE 2
From the site manager, James C. Steele
THE POWDER MAGAZINE
Dear Friends and Guests:
Summer is finally here at Fort Fisher! Outside, it has been hot and exceptionally humid, but that has not slowed the happy invasion of summertime tourists. Since Memorial Day weekend more than fifty thousand people have visited the Fort Fisher battlefield and museum. They come from all over the United States and the world to enjoy North Carolina’s greatest tourism region, the Lower Cape Fear. When I see our guests enjoying this beautiful site and learning American history, I know I have the best job in the world.
If you haven’t heard, Fort Fisher has a new exhibit: A full-size replica of the famous Armstrong Gun! Ever since the original weapon returned to West Point, the carriage sat empty. For several years the Friends of Fort Fisher and site staff worked to procure and install a replica gun for visitors to enjoy. The long wait was worth it. The Arm-strong Gun looks fantastic and was unveiled during a special ceremony in June. All of us here at Fort Fisher are thank-ful to Mr. Mike McCarley, whose generous gift helped make this exhibit possible. And if you like Fort Fisher and want to help us make it even better please join the Friends of Fort Fisher! The Friends are our partners and we could not do what we do without them. Their work makes site enhancements possible, and you know you want to be a part of that.
Enjoy this issue of The Powder Magazine, come take the “Fort Fisher: Above the Scenes” tour with historian Ray Flowers, and have a safe, enjoyable summer.
Best regards, Jim
September 19, 1942—May 2, 2013
Jack Monroe Travis THE POWDER MAGAZINE
PAGE 3
Many of you may be following the progress of our historic post garden on the Friends of Fort Fisher Facebook page. Despite the heavy spring rains and the rains of Tropical Storm Andrea, the garden is doing fairly well. We are grow-ing Kentucky Wonder Pole beans; we have blossoms on the American Melons, blossoms on the various heirloom toma-toes, 20 Yellow Pear heirloom tomatoes, not to mention the okra, whippoorwill beans and White Top Globe turnips are doing well and we have the Beauregard sweet potatoes which will be planted soon. Mustard greens, collards, turnips and beets will be planted for the fall season.
Everything in the garden are heirloom seeds and plants that either date pre-Civil War or shortly afterwards. Seeds and plants were purchased from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, the Monticello Gar-dens and a local vendor for heirloom tomatoes.
The post garden provided fresh vegetables to the men at Fort Fisher and helped deter scurvy from breaking out. Vegetables like collards, mustard greens, and tomatoes would provide the anti-scorbutic to keep scurvy at bay.
Nearly 2400 fence rails were ordered in the summer of 1863 to enclose the garden which was located north of the land face possibly 300 yards in what is now the reclaimed mar-itime forest. And during the Christmas battle, Union forces entered the post garden per post battle accounts by Whiting. The garden only lasted two seasons. With the capture of the Fort in January it is unknown if occupation forces continued to maintain the garden.
I would like to thank our maintenance staff, Jack Crowe and David Schaffer, for helping install the fence.
Thanks to my hubby for bringing out our rotor-tiller during Park Day to till up the garden plot, and thanks to my fellow staff members John Moseley and Ray Flowers for collaborating with me on the research for the garden. Please be sure to come visit us and check it out for yourself. We hope to ex-pand the varieties of vegetables in the garden and make it a yearly event.
Donated items go to the Friends of Fort Fisher, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) and your donation is tax deductible. Please contact anyone at the fort at (910) 458-5538 if you are interested in donating. Cordless drill Upright vacuum Pressure washer Floor polisher First aid kits Utility/golf cart Gas weedeater
Can you help or donate?
PAGE 4
THE POWDER MAGAZINE
Civil War Medicine:
The Pox
By Jack Hisley, MD
Continued on page 5
During the American Civil War, smallpox was feared more than the enemy’s bullets. In 1860, Richard Burton declared: “The most dangerous epidemic is smallpox, which sweeps at times like a storm of death over the land”. Soon after delivering the Gettysburg Ad-dress in Novem-ber 1863, Abra-ham Lincoln de-veloped fever and headache followed by a generalized skin eruption that resembled small-pox. Fortunate-ly, he recovered in 4 weeks but his valet, who also was infected, succumbed to the disease.
Highly contagious, small-pox is character-ized by high fever and pustular skin lesions, and is associated with a high mortality rate. It thrives in an unsanitary environment and strikes all in its path - young, old, soldier, civilian. Black refugees and pris-oners of war were most vulnerable to the disease, and died in great numbers. Since the smallpox virus could live on clothing and blankets for up to 18 months, it spread with a particular vengeance. Limited medical knowledge of the causes, prevention, and treat-ment of infectious diseases, coupled with overwhelmingly dismal camp sani-tation were major factors in its spread.
The Confederate Army experi-
enced smallpox for the first time at the battle of Antietam in September of 1862. Fearing a widespread smallpox outbreak that could threaten the Army of North-ern Virginia, Robert E. Lee ordered the vaccination of his entire army. Reverend Alexander Davis Betts, a chaplain in Company C, 30th North Carolina Regi-ment, was on the field of battle at Antie-tam ministering to the sick and wounded. When word arrived that his young daughter was critically ill in Wilmington, NC, he was granted a much-deserved furlough on 20 November 1862. Rever-end Bett’s travel companion during the 5-day journey was Lieutenant Ruark, also of Company C, whose destination was Smithville, NC. Lt. Ruark was on sick leave because of a febrile illness. Shortly after his arrival in Smithville, Ruark died of smallpox. His mother and their imme-diate family members became infected
and also died of the disease. Betts and his family were spared and his critically ill daughter recovered from her un-known ailment.
The smallpox virus has many forms; the most common type is variola major. Variola minor, a mild form of the dis-ease, is frequently as-sociated with survival although facial scarring is generally left in its aftermath. When George Washington visited his brother, dying of tuberculosis in Barbados, he acquired variola minor, from which he recovered with little damage oth-er than some minor facial scarring.
Variola major or “confluent pox” is so severe that 75% of infected individuals don’t survive. A rare form of this disease, hemorrhagic or “black pox”, is fatal within days. With hemor-rhagic pox, blood ves-sels under the skin, and particularly in the oral cavity leak, leaving dark lesions. The whites of the eyes become dark, coma occurs, and death soon follows. The course of this highly aggressive form of smallpox can be as short as 2 to 4 days.
Smallpox is one of the most aggressive and virulent of all infectious diseases. It first appeared in China and India centuries before the birth of Christ, sweeping through medieval Eu-rope during the Crusades before reach-ing the Americas in the 15th century. PAGE 5
THE POWDER MAGAZINE
Civil War Medicine: The Pox (continued from page 4)
Typically, the incubation period ranges between 7 and 14 days. Approximately 2 to 4 days before the appearance of skin lesions, infected individuals experience significant fever, severe headache, backache, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. A rash first appears on the tongue and palate, then affects the face and extremities, and finally involves the trunk. By day 7, thousands of pustules loaded with the smallpox virus break down, releasing the virus; crusted lesions (scabs) then form. Those who are fortunate enough to survive the viral assault are often left with permanent scarring on the face and multiple de-pigmented areas scattered over the body.
Prevention of smallpox began in China and India in the 10th century with the practice of variolation – the delib-erate infection with smallpox. With this technique, dried smallpox scabs were blown into the nose of an individual who then contracted a mild form of the disease and developed immunity. Europeans and Americans performed inoculation by making a puncture in the skin. With variolation, the risk of life-threatening infection was significant, but when suc-cessful, the technique conferred lasting immunity. During the American Revolution, the British Army was successfully vaccinated using this method, and enjoyed a distinct advantage over the unvaccinated American troops. George Wash-ington recognized the strategic value of vaccination during the siege of Boston and ordered a full-scale vaccination of his troops using the variolation technique.
Edward Jenner, a British scientist and physician, discovered an alternative method to variolation in 1796. Based upon his observation that dairymaids infected with cowpox were immune to smallpox, Jenner deliberately infected an 8-year-old boy with cowpox. Over time, he exposed the same child to smallpox and observed that the boy did not con-tract the disease. Jenner repeated his experiment on other children including his own son, and concluded that vaccina-tion with cowpox provided adequate immunity to smallpox without the risks associated with variolation.
After the Battle of Antitetam in 1862, Robert E. Lee’s soldiers were vaccinated using the virus-laden scabs of children who were recently vaccinated or who were ill with smallpox. The scabs from children were preferred because their scabs were less likely to be contaminated with other viruses or bacteria. However, owing to their fear of the dis-ease, many soldiers vaccinated themselves with scabs obtained from other soldiers who were infected. Large incisions, hastily made, often became infected, disabling them for many days. Also, by using adult scabs, contaminants such as the syphilitic spirochete were frequently introduced.
Because of the high manpower demands during the Civil War, little attention was given to the health issues of new recruits. Recruits with bacterial and viral infections, along with common communicable diseases, readily joined the ranks of the healthy. As a result, 414,000 Confederate and Union soldiers died from common and often preventable camp diseases. Although both the blue and the grey shared an overwhelming fear of the pox because of its aggressive and often fatal nature, comparatively few actually died from this disease in the field. For prisoners in the prison camps throughout the North and the South, however, that was another matter.
Looking to inspire your kids to keep learning this summer while having fun? The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources 2nd Saturdays happenings are making history and culture come to life for free. Fort Fisher’s 2nd Saturday offering for July 13 will be “Hidden Beneath the Sand”: Fort Fisher Archaeology on the Land and at Sea.
Explore the history of Fort Fisher through the archaeological record found both on land and in our local waterways. Listen as a maritime archaeologist from the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch speaks on the amazing historical finds in the Cape Fear region and the work that is underway mapping the Civil War era ships as a part of Fort Fisher’s battlefield. Just offshore, divers will be investigating the Blockade Runner Condor during the day and will be placing buoys to mark other Civil War wrecks off Fort Fisher. Plans also include marking the outline of the fort, indicating what has been lost to the sea. Educational and hands-on activities will focus on the role of ar-chaeologists in understanding Fort Fisher’s history and how they accomplish their im-portant work. The free program is slated for 10 am to 4 pm. Program subject to change.
Fort Fisher archaeology to be highlighted on July 13, 2013 PAGE 6
THE POWDER MAGAZINE
Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Ventura, California but moved to Vass, North Carolina, my sophomore year of high school. It was a unique transition from the fast paced lifestyle of Southern California to the slower paced rural South. However, I have en-joyed my time in North Carolina im-mensely.
How long have you been in this area?
I've lived in the Wilmington area for 5 years while attending the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
Tell us about your immedi-ate family, including pets.
My parents are Lilian and Steve O'hern of Vass, NC. I also have two older brothers, Patrick and Andrew.
Tell us about your formal education, past, present, or future.
I went to Union Pines High School in Cameron, North Carolina. I re-cently graduated from UNC-Wilmington with undergraduate degrees in History and Political Science. I plan on pursuing a graduate degree in American History in the near future.
Are you pursuing/entering/retired from any particular profession?
I've always wanted to be a curator in a museum ever since I fell in love with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles Coun-ty. I feel that the experience as the Mary Holloway Seasonal Interpreter will be beneficial in pursuing this goal.
How long have you or your family been affiliated with FF?
I've been associated with Fort Fisher since my sophomore year of college. I enrolled in Dr. Chris Fonvielle's Civil War history course and he took our class on field trips to historic sites around the area. Fort Fisher was by far my favorite trip we took that summer and I've been back numerous times since.
What are a few of the things you like most about work-ing at FF?
I would have to say giving guided tours to the public around the remains of the fort is my favorite aspect of being the Mary Hol-loway Seasonal Interpreter. Just meeting the visitors who come from all different walks of life is fascinating. Moreover, I really enjoy working with all of the amazing staff and volunteers who are all so knowledgeable about Civil War history, and American
history in general.
If you could have dinner with anyone from the 19th century, who would it be, and what might you ask him or her?
I hate to sound cliché’ but it would definitely be Abraham Lincoln. I am fascinated by his life. He starts with less than one year of formal education in a backwoods frontier town in Kentucky. And yet somehow he ris-es from that to become president of the United States. I would ask Presi-dent Lincoln what he believes is the greatest speech he's given. Moreo-ver, I would ask him why he didn't relieve General George B. Mcclel-lan of his duties sooner than he ultimately did during the Civil War.
Who are two of your favorite authors?
I would say Robert Caro, President Lyndon B. Johnson's famed biog-rapher as well as former NBA coach and 11-time champion Phil Jackson.
What, if anything, are you cur-rently reading (besides this ques-tionnaire)?
I am currently reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln as well as Phil Jackson's new-est memoir Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success.
Hobbies or interests in your spare time?
I enjoy playing basketball, working out, wakeboarding and watching professional sports games, mainly the NBA and NFL.
Have you ever noticed anything strange while working at Fort Fisher?
I personally have yet to notice anything really strange. Howev-er, I have heard the stories about the ghost of General Whiting who some say makes his presence known around the remains of the fort from time to time.
What do you think every visitor should know (or re-member) about FF?
Just how much effort and work was put into making the fort! Many lives were lost during the battles but one should take into to account the amount of time and precision used to build such a strong fortification.
Lastly, when do you typically give tours and/or small arms demos? I usually give tours and small arms demos during the 11:00 am and 1:00 p.m. hours. Starting July 2nd, however, I will be giving tours and small arms demos at 9:30 am and 11:00 am. THE POWDER MAGAZINE
PAGE 7
Fort Fisher was the anchor in that chain. Standing twenty miles downstream commanding New Inlet, it mounted forty four heavy guns, boasted nearly a mile and a half of earthworks and was the Confederacy’s most formidable seacoast fortification. There on Confederate Point beneath the new na-tions’ star-crossed banner a drama of epic proportions un-furled. Numerous stirring events both bitter and sweet would leaven the tale with romanticism. But at the climatic conclusion, with the plight of the Confed-eracy hanging in the balance, Fort Fisher would be assailed by the most ambitious army/navy amphibi-ous expedition of the war, bear witness to the largest United States flotilla ever assembled and be-come the target of the heaviest naval bombardment in American history. For the South it would prove to be a forlorn hope in the face of an ir-resistible force. Immersed in a hurricane of fire, a desperate last stand in a fated hour would fail to stem the flood tide of the great blue wave that rose out of the Atlantic and stormed down upon Confederate Point.
Over time the elements have continued the assault on Fort Fish-er and like sand through an hour glass much of the fort has sifted away. Today there is little tangible evidence left to convey the magni-tude of what once occurred here. To gain a better appreciation for the property and this pivotal mo-ment in American history we sug-gest spending a little time with our Site Interpreter Ray Flowers. When you purchase a $10 tour ticket, Ray will lead you on a special 45 minute tour from the floor of the fort to the top of the traverses affording
the visitor a different perspective from a unique vantage point. Ray is a native to the area and a life-long enthusiast of the Civil War in general and the Civil War on the Lower Cape Fear in particular. Raised just 12 miles up the road in the neighborhood of Battle Park (where the streets were named for Civil War battles) he was a frequent visitor as a child and claims to have wanted to work at Fort Fisher for as long as he can remember. A grad-uate of UNCW and 15 year+ employee of the site, he feels blessed to combine vocation with avocation. In pursuing the subject Flowers has made an extensive study of the topic, his research has taken him to numerous reposito-ries, historic sites, forts, battlefields, cemeteries, residences, etcetera, where he has acquired a wealth of information. Without question, Flowers delights in his role as a seasoned am-bassador of the site who shares a treasure trove of knowledge and historical gems to enrich the visi-tor’s experience. The tour begins at noon daily. Children under 12 are free. A limit of 25 tickets will be sold per day. No advance tick-ets available. The tour is weather dependent. Proper shoes, water and sunscreen recommended.
‘Above the Scenes’ tour offered at Fisher (continued from page 1)
Curator of History and Tour Guide Ray Flowers PAGE 8
THE POWDER MAGAZINE
Melissa Baker
Cary, NC
Ron & Sheila Day
Heuvelton, NY
Focus on Communications
Laurel Maultsby
Wilmington, NC
Fort Fisher Chapter 2325 UDC
Ms. Patricia G. Bolander, Pres.
Kure Beach, NC
Linda & Karl Harris
Demorest, Ga.
Dana Jackson Photography
Dana Jackson
Carolina Beach, NC
Josh Kelley
Cary, NC
James H. Liberman
Wilmington, NC
Life’s a Beach Family Photo
Andrew Fox
Calabash, NC
Omar & Jackie Mardan
Wilmington, NC
John P. Munroe, III
Wilmington, NC
George & Sharon Oed
Wallace, NC
Josh M. Price
Wilmington, NC
Rountree Losee LLP
George Rountree, III
Geoffrey Losee
Wilmington, NC
Bill & Becky Salter
Wilmington, NC
The Rev. John S. Sims
Hixson, TN
Robert G. Spencer
Alliance, NC
Al Watkins
Carolina Beach, NC
Marcia Watts
Ferguson, NC
Woody White
Wilmington, NC
Robert & Anita O. Whiting
Southerland, VA
Susan Zimmerman
Supply, NC
Thank You for supporting NC’s most visited
battlefield and National Historic Landmark PAGE 9
THE POWDER MAGAZINE
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
Individual Membership $25 Family Membership $40 Military/Student Membership $20
BENEFITS
Members receive subscriptions to The Powder Magazine quarterly newsletter, membership card, notice of educational programs and special events, a 15% discount in the Fort Fisher Museum Store, and invitations to special Friends of Fort Fisher events throughout the year.
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP $500 and Up
All of the benefits above, plus acknowledgement in The Powder Magazine quarterly newsletter, VIP acknowledgement in all special programs and recognition on the museum’s permanent donor board.
BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP $100 and Up
Benefits will be extended to a designated representative of the business. In addition, the business shall be entitled to one free display advertisement (business card sized) in the next edition of The Powder Magazine.
ARMSTRONG SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP $500 and Up
Gifts are placed into a restricted fund for capital improvements. Benefits include membership for the year in which the gift is received, permanent recognition on the museum’s donor wall and at the annual meeting of the Friends of Fort Fisher.
OTHER WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE
Memorial & Honor Gifts Artifact Donations Volunteers Named Gift Opportunities Bequests
MEMBERSHIP ENROLLMENT FORM
Name__________________________________________ Address_________________________________________ ________________________________________ City___________________________________________ State________________ Zip________________________ Telephone_______________________________________ Email___________________________________________
□ New □ Renewal
All contributions are tax deductible, less the fair market value of goods and services received.
If you choose to waive your membership benefits, your contri-bution is fully tax-deductible.
□ I wish to waive my membership benefits
□ My employer has a matching gift program. Proper forms are enclosed
Membership Categories
Individual $25 ____________ Family $40 ____________ Military/Student $20 ____________ Sustaining $500+ ____________ Business $100+ ____________
Armstrong Society $500+ ____________
Payment □ Cash □ Check □ Credit Card Make checks payable to Friends of Fort Fisher
□ VISA □ MasterCard
Name on Card____________________________________ Account #_______________________________________ Expiration Date_____________3-digit security code_______ Signature___________________________Date_________
Join the Friends of Fort Fisher
Mail to: Friends of Fort Fisher
1610 Fort Fisher Blvd., Kure Beach, N.C. 28449 T H E P O W D E R M A G A Z I N E
Friends of Fort Fisher
Board of Directors:
James (Jim) T. Carper, Chairman
Brian K. Nunnally, Ph.D., Vice Chair
W. Paul Harris, Ph.D., Secretary
John Coble, Treasurer
John Craig
Jerome Fennell
Dan Hickman
Jack Hisley, MD
Tom Hodges
Victoria (Tori) Jones
R. James MacLaren
Mike E. McCarley
Norm Melton
Tammy Moore
Tyrone (Ty) Rowell
Jim Steele, Ex-Officio
Paul Laird, Executive Director
Web: www.friendsoffortfisher.com
E-mail: plaird@friendsoffortfisher.com
Fort Fisher State Historic Site
1610 Fort Fisher Blvd. South
P.O. Box 169
Kure Beach, NC 28449
Phone: (910) 458-5538
E-mail: fisher@ncdcr.gov
www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher
This newsletter was
proudly produced with
support from the Friends
of Fort Fisher
July 13, 2013
2nd Saturday: Hidden Beneath the Sand:
Fort Fisher Archaeology
August 10, 2013
2nd Saturday: Information Technology
Communications in the Civil War
November 2, 2013
Jefferson Davis’ Visit to Wilmington
and Fort Fisher
For more information on these events,
call 910-458-5538 or visit
www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher
Please note: events subject to change

The Powder Magazine
FORT FISHER STATE
HISTORIC SITE
JULY 2013
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST Remembering Jack Travis (page 2) Garden Goodies (page 3) Meet Anthony Hatfield (page 6)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
From the Site Manager’s Desk
2
Civil War Medicine
The Pox
4
New Friends of Fort Fisher
8
Join the Friends of Fort Fisher
9
Upcoming Events at Fort Fisher
10
Beautiful weather, a friendly crowd of 120 invited Friends members and guests welcomed featured speaker author Rod Gragg and the unveiling of Fort Fisher’s newest outside exhibit – a full-scale replica of the icon-ic Armstrong Rifled Cannon on June 1st.
The Armstrong represents a milestone in the Friends quiet cam-paign to fund several important capital pro-jects at the site in prepa-ration for the 150th anni-versary of the Battle of Fort Fisher in January 2015.
In addition to the Arm-strong other projects needing public support include extensive
upgrades to the interpretive trail with new historical signage, honor/memorial benches, electric touring cart for those with physical limita-tions, the landscaped Walk of Honor area with engraved pavers and total replacement of 1,000
Friends of Fort Fisher campaign announces milestone and seeks public support...by Paul Laird
feet of the historically important defensive palisade fence. This first phase of the “Telling Their Story” Campaign seeks to raise $250,000. To date, $60,000 has been raised and pledged and the Friends are ex-citedly looking to the fall to an-nounce new pledges and oppor-tunities for the public to become involved in meeting the campaign goals and the long-term objec-tives of Fort Fisher becoming the most dynamic, interesting, and educational Civil War me-morial battlefield and historic site in the southeastern United States. Please contact Friends executive director Paul Laird by phone at 910-612-7067 or plaird@friendsoffortfisher.com to learn how you can become involved in the Friends of Fort Fisher and the “Telling Their Story” Campaign.
At the outbreak of the Civil War in April of 1861, Wilming-ton was North Carolina’s larg-est city; by the middle of 1863, it was rapidly becoming the sec-ond most important city in the South. For the next year and a half, Wilmington would be the Confederacy’s primary port-of-call as the overwhelming majori-ty of the foreign commerce that fed and fueled the Rebel war machine was funneled into the Cape Fear River. Conducted by
blockade-runners, this smuggling operation soon became the main artery in the “Lifeline of the Con-federacy” and for the remainder of the war, the fortunes of the Confederate States of America would be moored to the docks of Wilmington harbor. To defend the port, a chain of fortifications and batteries purled down both sides of the river from the port city above to the inlets below, making it the second most fortified harbor in the South.
‘Above the Scenes’ tour offered at Ft. Fisher
Continued on page 7 PAGE 2
From the site manager, James C. Steele
THE POWDER MAGAZINE
Dear Friends and Guests:
Summer is finally here at Fort Fisher! Outside, it has been hot and exceptionally humid, but that has not slowed the happy invasion of summertime tourists. Since Memorial Day weekend more than fifty thousand people have visited the Fort Fisher battlefield and museum. They come from all over the United States and the world to enjoy North Carolina’s greatest tourism region, the Lower Cape Fear. When I see our guests enjoying this beautiful site and learning American history, I know I have the best job in the world.
If you haven’t heard, Fort Fisher has a new exhibit: A full-size replica of the famous Armstrong Gun! Ever since the original weapon returned to West Point, the carriage sat empty. For several years the Friends of Fort Fisher and site staff worked to procure and install a replica gun for visitors to enjoy. The long wait was worth it. The Arm-strong Gun looks fantastic and was unveiled during a special ceremony in June. All of us here at Fort Fisher are thank-ful to Mr. Mike McCarley, whose generous gift helped make this exhibit possible. And if you like Fort Fisher and want to help us make it even better please join the Friends of Fort Fisher! The Friends are our partners and we could not do what we do without them. Their work makes site enhancements possible, and you know you want to be a part of that.
Enjoy this issue of The Powder Magazine, come take the “Fort Fisher: Above the Scenes” tour with historian Ray Flowers, and have a safe, enjoyable summer.
Best regards, Jim
September 19, 1942—May 2, 2013
Jack Monroe Travis THE POWDER MAGAZINE
PAGE 3
Many of you may be following the progress of our historic post garden on the Friends of Fort Fisher Facebook page. Despite the heavy spring rains and the rains of Tropical Storm Andrea, the garden is doing fairly well. We are grow-ing Kentucky Wonder Pole beans; we have blossoms on the American Melons, blossoms on the various heirloom toma-toes, 20 Yellow Pear heirloom tomatoes, not to mention the okra, whippoorwill beans and White Top Globe turnips are doing well and we have the Beauregard sweet potatoes which will be planted soon. Mustard greens, collards, turnips and beets will be planted for the fall season.
Everything in the garden are heirloom seeds and plants that either date pre-Civil War or shortly afterwards. Seeds and plants were purchased from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, the Monticello Gar-dens and a local vendor for heirloom tomatoes.
The post garden provided fresh vegetables to the men at Fort Fisher and helped deter scurvy from breaking out. Vegetables like collards, mustard greens, and tomatoes would provide the anti-scorbutic to keep scurvy at bay.
Nearly 2400 fence rails were ordered in the summer of 1863 to enclose the garden which was located north of the land face possibly 300 yards in what is now the reclaimed mar-itime forest. And during the Christmas battle, Union forces entered the post garden per post battle accounts by Whiting. The garden only lasted two seasons. With the capture of the Fort in January it is unknown if occupation forces continued to maintain the garden.
I would like to thank our maintenance staff, Jack Crowe and David Schaffer, for helping install the fence.
Thanks to my hubby for bringing out our rotor-tiller during Park Day to till up the garden plot, and thanks to my fellow staff members John Moseley and Ray Flowers for collaborating with me on the research for the garden. Please be sure to come visit us and check it out for yourself. We hope to ex-pand the varieties of vegetables in the garden and make it a yearly event.
Donated items go to the Friends of Fort Fisher, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) and your donation is tax deductible. Please contact anyone at the fort at (910) 458-5538 if you are interested in donating. Cordless drill Upright vacuum Pressure washer Floor polisher First aid kits Utility/golf cart Gas weedeater
Can you help or donate?
PAGE 4
THE POWDER MAGAZINE
Civil War Medicine:
The Pox
By Jack Hisley, MD
Continued on page 5
During the American Civil War, smallpox was feared more than the enemy’s bullets. In 1860, Richard Burton declared: “The most dangerous epidemic is smallpox, which sweeps at times like a storm of death over the land”. Soon after delivering the Gettysburg Ad-dress in Novem-ber 1863, Abra-ham Lincoln de-veloped fever and headache followed by a generalized skin eruption that resembled small-pox. Fortunate-ly, he recovered in 4 weeks but his valet, who also was infected, succumbed to the disease.
Highly contagious, small-pox is character-ized by high fever and pustular skin lesions, and is associated with a high mortality rate. It thrives in an unsanitary environment and strikes all in its path - young, old, soldier, civilian. Black refugees and pris-oners of war were most vulnerable to the disease, and died in great numbers. Since the smallpox virus could live on clothing and blankets for up to 18 months, it spread with a particular vengeance. Limited medical knowledge of the causes, prevention, and treat-ment of infectious diseases, coupled with overwhelmingly dismal camp sani-tation were major factors in its spread.
The Confederate Army experi-
enced smallpox for the first time at the battle of Antietam in September of 1862. Fearing a widespread smallpox outbreak that could threaten the Army of North-ern Virginia, Robert E. Lee ordered the vaccination of his entire army. Reverend Alexander Davis Betts, a chaplain in Company C, 30th North Carolina Regi-ment, was on the field of battle at Antie-tam ministering to the sick and wounded. When word arrived that his young daughter was critically ill in Wilmington, NC, he was granted a much-deserved furlough on 20 November 1862. Rever-end Bett’s travel companion during the 5-day journey was Lieutenant Ruark, also of Company C, whose destination was Smithville, NC. Lt. Ruark was on sick leave because of a febrile illness. Shortly after his arrival in Smithville, Ruark died of smallpox. His mother and their imme-diate family members became infected
and also died of the disease. Betts and his family were spared and his critically ill daughter recovered from her un-known ailment.
The smallpox virus has many forms; the most common type is variola major. Variola minor, a mild form of the dis-ease, is frequently as-sociated with survival although facial scarring is generally left in its aftermath. When George Washington visited his brother, dying of tuberculosis in Barbados, he acquired variola minor, from which he recovered with little damage oth-er than some minor facial scarring.
Variola major or “confluent pox” is so severe that 75% of infected individuals don’t survive. A rare form of this disease, hemorrhagic or “black pox”, is fatal within days. With hemor-rhagic pox, blood ves-sels under the skin, and particularly in the oral cavity leak, leaving dark lesions. The whites of the eyes become dark, coma occurs, and death soon follows. The course of this highly aggressive form of smallpox can be as short as 2 to 4 days.
Smallpox is one of the most aggressive and virulent of all infectious diseases. It first appeared in China and India centuries before the birth of Christ, sweeping through medieval Eu-rope during the Crusades before reach-ing the Americas in the 15th century. PAGE 5
THE POWDER MAGAZINE
Civil War Medicine: The Pox (continued from page 4)
Typically, the incubation period ranges between 7 and 14 days. Approximately 2 to 4 days before the appearance of skin lesions, infected individuals experience significant fever, severe headache, backache, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. A rash first appears on the tongue and palate, then affects the face and extremities, and finally involves the trunk. By day 7, thousands of pustules loaded with the smallpox virus break down, releasing the virus; crusted lesions (scabs) then form. Those who are fortunate enough to survive the viral assault are often left with permanent scarring on the face and multiple de-pigmented areas scattered over the body.
Prevention of smallpox began in China and India in the 10th century with the practice of variolation – the delib-erate infection with smallpox. With this technique, dried smallpox scabs were blown into the nose of an individual who then contracted a mild form of the disease and developed immunity. Europeans and Americans performed inoculation by making a puncture in the skin. With variolation, the risk of life-threatening infection was significant, but when suc-cessful, the technique conferred lasting immunity. During the American Revolution, the British Army was successfully vaccinated using this method, and enjoyed a distinct advantage over the unvaccinated American troops. George Wash-ington recognized the strategic value of vaccination during the siege of Boston and ordered a full-scale vaccination of his troops using the variolation technique.
Edward Jenner, a British scientist and physician, discovered an alternative method to variolation in 1796. Based upon his observation that dairymaids infected with cowpox were immune to smallpox, Jenner deliberately infected an 8-year-old boy with cowpox. Over time, he exposed the same child to smallpox and observed that the boy did not con-tract the disease. Jenner repeated his experiment on other children including his own son, and concluded that vaccina-tion with cowpox provided adequate immunity to smallpox without the risks associated with variolation.
After the Battle of Antitetam in 1862, Robert E. Lee’s soldiers were vaccinated using the virus-laden scabs of children who were recently vaccinated or who were ill with smallpox. The scabs from children were preferred because their scabs were less likely to be contaminated with other viruses or bacteria. However, owing to their fear of the dis-ease, many soldiers vaccinated themselves with scabs obtained from other soldiers who were infected. Large incisions, hastily made, often became infected, disabling them for many days. Also, by using adult scabs, contaminants such as the syphilitic spirochete were frequently introduced.
Because of the high manpower demands during the Civil War, little attention was given to the health issues of new recruits. Recruits with bacterial and viral infections, along with common communicable diseases, readily joined the ranks of the healthy. As a result, 414,000 Confederate and Union soldiers died from common and often preventable camp diseases. Although both the blue and the grey shared an overwhelming fear of the pox because of its aggressive and often fatal nature, comparatively few actually died from this disease in the field. For prisoners in the prison camps throughout the North and the South, however, that was another matter.
Looking to inspire your kids to keep learning this summer while having fun? The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources 2nd Saturdays happenings are making history and culture come to life for free. Fort Fisher’s 2nd Saturday offering for July 13 will be “Hidden Beneath the Sand”: Fort Fisher Archaeology on the Land and at Sea.
Explore the history of Fort Fisher through the archaeological record found both on land and in our local waterways. Listen as a maritime archaeologist from the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch speaks on the amazing historical finds in the Cape Fear region and the work that is underway mapping the Civil War era ships as a part of Fort Fisher’s battlefield. Just offshore, divers will be investigating the Blockade Runner Condor during the day and will be placing buoys to mark other Civil War wrecks off Fort Fisher. Plans also include marking the outline of the fort, indicating what has been lost to the sea. Educational and hands-on activities will focus on the role of ar-chaeologists in understanding Fort Fisher’s history and how they accomplish their im-portant work. The free program is slated for 10 am to 4 pm. Program subject to change.
Fort Fisher archaeology to be highlighted on July 13, 2013 PAGE 6
THE POWDER MAGAZINE
Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Ventura, California but moved to Vass, North Carolina, my sophomore year of high school. It was a unique transition from the fast paced lifestyle of Southern California to the slower paced rural South. However, I have en-joyed my time in North Carolina im-mensely.
How long have you been in this area?
I've lived in the Wilmington area for 5 years while attending the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
Tell us about your immedi-ate family, including pets.
My parents are Lilian and Steve O'hern of Vass, NC. I also have two older brothers, Patrick and Andrew.
Tell us about your formal education, past, present, or future.
I went to Union Pines High School in Cameron, North Carolina. I re-cently graduated from UNC-Wilmington with undergraduate degrees in History and Political Science. I plan on pursuing a graduate degree in American History in the near future.
Are you pursuing/entering/retired from any particular profession?
I've always wanted to be a curator in a museum ever since I fell in love with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles Coun-ty. I feel that the experience as the Mary Holloway Seasonal Interpreter will be beneficial in pursuing this goal.
How long have you or your family been affiliated with FF?
I've been associated with Fort Fisher since my sophomore year of college. I enrolled in Dr. Chris Fonvielle's Civil War history course and he took our class on field trips to historic sites around the area. Fort Fisher was by far my favorite trip we took that summer and I've been back numerous times since.
What are a few of the things you like most about work-ing at FF?
I would have to say giving guided tours to the public around the remains of the fort is my favorite aspect of being the Mary Hol-loway Seasonal Interpreter. Just meeting the visitors who come from all different walks of life is fascinating. Moreover, I really enjoy working with all of the amazing staff and volunteers who are all so knowledgeable about Civil War history, and American
history in general.
If you could have dinner with anyone from the 19th century, who would it be, and what might you ask him or her?
I hate to sound cliché’ but it would definitely be Abraham Lincoln. I am fascinated by his life. He starts with less than one year of formal education in a backwoods frontier town in Kentucky. And yet somehow he ris-es from that to become president of the United States. I would ask Presi-dent Lincoln what he believes is the greatest speech he's given. Moreo-ver, I would ask him why he didn't relieve General George B. Mcclel-lan of his duties sooner than he ultimately did during the Civil War.
Who are two of your favorite authors?
I would say Robert Caro, President Lyndon B. Johnson's famed biog-rapher as well as former NBA coach and 11-time champion Phil Jackson.
What, if anything, are you cur-rently reading (besides this ques-tionnaire)?
I am currently reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln as well as Phil Jackson's new-est memoir Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success.
Hobbies or interests in your spare time?
I enjoy playing basketball, working out, wakeboarding and watching professional sports games, mainly the NBA and NFL.
Have you ever noticed anything strange while working at Fort Fisher?
I personally have yet to notice anything really strange. Howev-er, I have heard the stories about the ghost of General Whiting who some say makes his presence known around the remains of the fort from time to time.
What do you think every visitor should know (or re-member) about FF?
Just how much effort and work was put into making the fort! Many lives were lost during the battles but one should take into to account the amount of time and precision used to build such a strong fortification.
Lastly, when do you typically give tours and/or small arms demos? I usually give tours and small arms demos during the 11:00 am and 1:00 p.m. hours. Starting July 2nd, however, I will be giving tours and small arms demos at 9:30 am and 11:00 am. THE POWDER MAGAZINE
PAGE 7
Fort Fisher was the anchor in that chain. Standing twenty miles downstream commanding New Inlet, it mounted forty four heavy guns, boasted nearly a mile and a half of earthworks and was the Confederacy’s most formidable seacoast fortification. There on Confederate Point beneath the new na-tions’ star-crossed banner a drama of epic proportions un-furled. Numerous stirring events both bitter and sweet would leaven the tale with romanticism. But at the climatic conclusion, with the plight of the Confed-eracy hanging in the balance, Fort Fisher would be assailed by the most ambitious army/navy amphibi-ous expedition of the war, bear witness to the largest United States flotilla ever assembled and be-come the target of the heaviest naval bombardment in American history. For the South it would prove to be a forlorn hope in the face of an ir-resistible force. Immersed in a hurricane of fire, a desperate last stand in a fated hour would fail to stem the flood tide of the great blue wave that rose out of the Atlantic and stormed down upon Confederate Point.
Over time the elements have continued the assault on Fort Fish-er and like sand through an hour glass much of the fort has sifted away. Today there is little tangible evidence left to convey the magni-tude of what once occurred here. To gain a better appreciation for the property and this pivotal mo-ment in American history we sug-gest spending a little time with our Site Interpreter Ray Flowers. When you purchase a $10 tour ticket, Ray will lead you on a special 45 minute tour from the floor of the fort to the top of the traverses affording
the visitor a different perspective from a unique vantage point. Ray is a native to the area and a life-long enthusiast of the Civil War in general and the Civil War on the Lower Cape Fear in particular. Raised just 12 miles up the road in the neighborhood of Battle Park (where the streets were named for Civil War battles) he was a frequent visitor as a child and claims to have wanted to work at Fort Fisher for as long as he can remember. A grad-uate of UNCW and 15 year+ employee of the site, he feels blessed to combine vocation with avocation. In pursuing the subject Flowers has made an extensive study of the topic, his research has taken him to numerous reposito-ries, historic sites, forts, battlefields, cemeteries, residences, etcetera, where he has acquired a wealth of information. Without question, Flowers delights in his role as a seasoned am-bassador of the site who shares a treasure trove of knowledge and historical gems to enrich the visi-tor’s experience. The tour begins at noon daily. Children under 12 are free. A limit of 25 tickets will be sold per day. No advance tick-ets available. The tour is weather dependent. Proper shoes, water and sunscreen recommended.
‘Above the Scenes’ tour offered at Fisher (continued from page 1)
Curator of History and Tour Guide Ray Flowers PAGE 8
THE POWDER MAGAZINE
Melissa Baker
Cary, NC
Ron & Sheila Day
Heuvelton, NY
Focus on Communications
Laurel Maultsby
Wilmington, NC
Fort Fisher Chapter 2325 UDC
Ms. Patricia G. Bolander, Pres.
Kure Beach, NC
Linda & Karl Harris
Demorest, Ga.
Dana Jackson Photography
Dana Jackson
Carolina Beach, NC
Josh Kelley
Cary, NC
James H. Liberman
Wilmington, NC
Life’s a Beach Family Photo
Andrew Fox
Calabash, NC
Omar & Jackie Mardan
Wilmington, NC
John P. Munroe, III
Wilmington, NC
George & Sharon Oed
Wallace, NC
Josh M. Price
Wilmington, NC
Rountree Losee LLP
George Rountree, III
Geoffrey Losee
Wilmington, NC
Bill & Becky Salter
Wilmington, NC
The Rev. John S. Sims
Hixson, TN
Robert G. Spencer
Alliance, NC
Al Watkins
Carolina Beach, NC
Marcia Watts
Ferguson, NC
Woody White
Wilmington, NC
Robert & Anita O. Whiting
Southerland, VA
Susan Zimmerman
Supply, NC
Thank You for supporting NC’s most visited
battlefield and National Historic Landmark PAGE 9
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1610 Fort Fisher Blvd., Kure Beach, N.C. 28449 T H E P O W D E R M A G A Z I N E
Friends of Fort Fisher
Board of Directors:
James (Jim) T. Carper, Chairman
Brian K. Nunnally, Ph.D., Vice Chair
W. Paul Harris, Ph.D., Secretary
John Coble, Treasurer
John Craig
Jerome Fennell
Dan Hickman
Jack Hisley, MD
Tom Hodges
Victoria (Tori) Jones
R. James MacLaren
Mike E. McCarley
Norm Melton
Tammy Moore
Tyrone (Ty) Rowell
Jim Steele, Ex-Officio
Paul Laird, Executive Director
Web: www.friendsoffortfisher.com
E-mail: plaird@friendsoffortfisher.com
Fort Fisher State Historic Site
1610 Fort Fisher Blvd. South
P.O. Box 169
Kure Beach, NC 28449
Phone: (910) 458-5538
E-mail: fisher@ncdcr.gov
www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher
This newsletter was
proudly produced with
support from the Friends
of Fort Fisher
July 13, 2013
2nd Saturday: Hidden Beneath the Sand:
Fort Fisher Archaeology
August 10, 2013
2nd Saturday: Information Technology
Communications in the Civil War
November 2, 2013
Jefferson Davis’ Visit to Wilmington
and Fort Fisher
For more information on these events,
call 910-458-5538 or visit
www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher
Please note: events subject to change